'If I Get The Nod...': Allrounder Beau Webster Eyes WTC Final Appearance
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Beau Webster offers Australia a valuable allrounder option, especially since Cameron Green is unable to bowl due to a back injury.
Beau Webster aims to make the already memorable year 2025 even more special by playing for Australia in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's.
Webster earned his first of three Test caps in January and was part of the team in Australia 's recent red-ball international against Sri Lanka in February.
The 31-year-old allrounder is eager for the opportunity to play for the World Test champions on the revered ground at Lord's.
'It's pretty special. I've been here a couple of times to watch a few games throughout the years, but to be out in the middle, yeah, extra special," he told reporters at Lord's on Sunday.
'If I get the nod, I'm looking forward to Wednesday."
Averaging exactly 50 with the bat in Test cricket and being a lively medium-pacer, Webster offers Australia a valuable allrounder option, especially since Cameron Green is unable to bowl due to a back injury.
Including Webster would lighten the load on Australia's main pace bowlers and senior spinner Nathan Lyon. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood noted, 'I remember back to when we didn't have one (an all-rounder) and it was brutal. It was tough work. It just sort of snowballs if you don't have that all-rounder and you're just continually bowling."
Webster commented, 'When you go into a game and you've got three front-line quicks and a spinner, it's always nice to have a guy who can potentially get you a wicket or two, keep the big boys fresh for another spell or the second innings. That's my role in the team and if they (Australia's selectors) decide to go that way, I'll give my best," said the Tasmanian, who has taken three Test wickets.
Webster approaches the final with recent experience in English conditions and familiarity with the Dukes ball, following a stint with county side Warwickshire.
'It's always nice to get over here and get amongst the Dukes ball," he said. 'Obviously, it reacts differently here with the swing and the bounce, so to have four games at Warwickshire… I think it's the best prep I could have given myself going into this Test."
While swing is relatively short-lived in Australian conditions, Webster sees it as a useful asset in England. 'Over here, you're sort of always up against the swinging ball," he said. 'One reason why I keep coming over here is to try and get better in these conditions."
Despite appreciating his time with Warwickshire, Webster mentioned that his new wife was less enthused about the weather during their 'honeymoon'. 'She probably would have rather somewhere a bit more sunny than Birmingham," said Webster. 'But I'm sure we'll get away at some point in the next few months after the cricket's done and take time to celebrate then."
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First Published:
June 08, 2025, 22:04 IST
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